Annual TVCC rodeo scheduled Friday, Saturday

Press release from TVCC

It’s time to rodeo up!

The 5th annual Trinity Valley Community College National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association-sanctioned rodeo is scheduled Friday and Saturday at the Henderson County Fair Park Complex.

Competition is scheduled at 7:30 each night with slack beginning at noon Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. Each night during the performance, children can compete in a calf scramble to win prizes.

“We always have a lot of fun with that (calf scramble),” Bratton said. “It’s a great way for kids to come out and find out what we’re all about.”
TVCC rodeo coach Brent Bratton said approximately 400 contestants, representing 20 college and universities, are expected to compete. Expected to compete with Bratton’s talented squad are Hill College, Southwest Texas Junior College, McNeese State University, Northeast Texas Community College, Lone Star Community College – Montgomery, Panola Junior College, Texas A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, and Wharton County Junior College.

Each NIRA member college has its own club composed of student members and sponsored by a faculty advisor who supervises the club’s activities. Each year, a men’s team consisting of six members and a four-member women’s team is chosen from each school. These team members travel to the regional rodeos competing against other NIRA member schools. Those not chosen for the team may compete on an individual basis and still be eligible for all prizes except those given to the team. The top three contestants in each event from each of the NIRA’s 11 regions qualify to compete in the CNFR. The top two men’s teams and women’s teams also qualify from the regions.

The TVCC roping team of Wenceslao “Lightning” Aguilera and Kolby “Thunder” Miller is currently ranked No. 1 in the region.

General admission tickets are $5 each and may be purchased in advance at Lone Star Western Wear in Athens, or on the night of the performance at the gate.
All proceeds generated by the rodeo are given back to the students to further their education, according to Bratton.

Sponsors of the 2013 event include: Henderson County Farm Bureau, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western Royal Mountain Inn, Athens Bank, Kevin Lilly’s McDonald’s, Champion Genetics, Miars Arabians, Whataburger, Bent Bucket Ministries, Smith Pro Rodeo, Carr Pro Rodeo, ETMC EMS, Southside Feed, North 19 Fire & Rescue, Reynolds New York Store, Ag-Power, Inc., Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative, KCKL 95.9FM, Red Line Power, Citizens National Bank, Lone Star Western Wear, Mark Roberts, DDS, Marion’s Shell & Service Center, Heritage Land Bank, Dillon Manufacturing, Agri-Land Farm Credit Services, Athens Cleaners, Mill’s Feed & Supply, First State Bank, Bar None Cowboy Church, Jalapeno Tree, Prosperity Bank, Big Tom Construction, Athens Lumber & Supply, Spencer Hardware, East Texas Ag Services, Henderson County Veterinary Hospital, Citizens State Bank, Cox Trailers, Iron Hill Ranch, McMurray’s Signs, East Texas Crushed Rock, Palmer Trucking and The Cutting Company.

TVCC Sports Notes: Lady Card softball off to fast start

By Benny Rogers, TVCC Sports Information

SOFTBALL

The Lady Cardinals are off to a 3-1 start.

Coach Ashley Johnston’s squad, which has been a regional tournament qualifier the past two seasons, opened Friday with a sweep against Grayson College, winning 7-5 and 7-1. Saturday, the Lady Cardinals split a pair against North Central Texas College, dropping an 8-6 decision in Game 1 and prevailing 6-5 in Game 2.

In the first game against Grayson, Chantelle Whitehead went 3-for-4, including a two-run home run. Marci Seymour also had three hits in three plate appearances. Candise Wise went 2-for-3 with a double and a single.

Kayla Cosby pitched a two-hitter in the second game.

Cosby was backed up by solo home runs by Erica Jordan and Jordan Olivares. Jordan went 2-for-3, as did Wise, who also stole two bases.

The Lady Cardinals had 20 hits in the Grayson doubleheader.

Melissa Billingsley and Jordan had three hits each in the Game 1 loss to North Central Texas. Billingsley had two singles, a double and and swiped two bases. Jordan had a triple to go along with two singles. She drove in three runs.

In the second game, Jazmine Hicks and Jordan both went 2-for-4 to lead the plate attack. Chyna Phipps also had two hits and stole two bases.

The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to return to action in their home opener Wednesday against Hill College. Doubleheader action at Cain Park begins at 1 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Cardinals jumped out to a 16-4 lead and then held off Bossier Parish for an 80-69 win Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Gym.

With the score tied at 28-28 with 3:51 to go in the first half, the Cardinals held Bossier Parish scoreless to lead 35-28 at halftime. The Cardinals scored nine unanswered points to start the second half to take control of the game.

Octavius Ellis, who scored eight of the Cardinals’ first 10 points in the first three minutes of the game, finished with 24 points.

Carl Porter also scored in double figures with 18 points. Karon Phillips and Jhaustin Thomas netted eight each.

The win boosted the Cardinals’ season record to 15-8. They are 6-6 in conference play.

The Cardinals are scheduled to return to action Wednesday on the road against Navarro. Game time in Corsicana is 7 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The third-ranked Lady Cardinals went on the road Saturday to take care of business, rolling to an 80-46 win against San Jacinto.

The Lady Cardinals had the game in hand at the half, leading 41-19.

Adut Bulgak and Shlonte’ Allen fired in 19 points each to lead the Lady Cardinals.

Also scoring in double figures were Savannah Carter with 13 and Shannon Smith with 11.

The win improved the Lady Cardinals to 22-1 overall and 9-0 in conference play.

The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to be back in action on the road Wednesday against Angelina. Tipoff in Lufkin is set for 5:30 p.m.

TVCC Sports Notes: Lady Cards ready to open softball season

TVCC Lady Cardinal softball will opens its season this Friday.
TVCC Lady Cardinal softball will opens its season this Friday.

By Benny Rogers, TVCC Sports Information

SOFTBALL

The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to open the season Friday on the road against Grayson College. Doubleheader action starts at 1 p.m.

The first home game for the Lady Cardinals is scheduled Wednesday, Feb. 6 against Hill College. Doubleheader begins at 1 p.m.

Other upcoming home games are scheduled Feb. 15 vs. Grayson, Feb. 16 vs. Grambling State and Feb. 18 vs. North Central Texas. Doubleheader action all three dates begin at 1 p.m.

The Lady Cardinals went 29-22-1 last year and were 17-7 in conference play, qualifying for the regional tournament for a second straight year.

The Lady Cardinals’ freshman-laden squad will be led by sophomores Lauren Webster, Candise Wise, Taylor Wilson, Chantelle Whitehead, Jazmine Hicks and Kim Lescheber.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Cardinals suffered a 65-61 loss to Paris on the road Wednesday night.

Paris led 29-22 at the half and held off the Cardinals down the stretch to preserve the win.

Octavius Ellis was the lone Cardinal scoring in double figures, tossing in 17.

Jarion Henry added eight for the Cardinals, followed by Tim Allen with seven and Jhaustin Thomas with six.

The loss dropped the Cardinals to 14-8 overall and 5-6 in the conference. Paris improved to 11-12 and 5-7.

The Cardinals are scheduled to return to home Saturday to face Bossier Parish in a 4 p.m. tipoff. Bossier Parish fell 60-54 to Tyler Wednesday night.

The Cardinals and Paris are scheduled to meet in a rematch at Cardinal Gym on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 4 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The Lady Cardinals recorded their 40th straight home victory Wednesday night with a 60-35 win against Paris.

The third-ranked Lady Cardinals began to pull away late in the first half and were up 26-13 at halftime.

Shlonte’ Allen scored 13 points to lead a balanced scoring attack for the Lady Cardinals. Shannon Smith and Adut Bulgak netted 10 each and Savannah Carter had nine.

The win raised the Lady Cardinals’ season record to 21-1. They are 8-0 in conference play. Paris tumbled to 6 -14 and 1-7 records.

Next up for the Lady Cardinals is a trip to Houston on Saturday to take on San Jacinto at 4 p.m. San Jacinto dropped a 92-76 decision to Tyler Wednesday night.

The next home game for the Lady Cardinals is Saturday, Feb. 9 against Tyler at 4 p.m.

ON THE AIR

Saturday’s TVCC-Bossier Parish men’s basketball game will be broadcast by Palestine radio station KYYK (98.3 FM). It will also be streamed online at www.youreasttexas.com.

Game time Saturday is 4 p.m.

TVCC Sports Notes: Basketball at home Saturday

Benny
Benny Rogers, TVCC Sports Information

By Benny Rogers, TVCC Sports Information

BASKETBALL

The Lady Cardinals and Cardinals are both scheduled to face Panola in Region XIV Conference action Saturday, but at different locations. The Lady Cardinals will be in Carthage for a 4 p.m. tipoff and the Cardinals will be at home, also for a 4 p.m. tipoff.

The nation’s third-ranked Lady Cardinals are 19-1 on the year and 6-0 in conference. The Cardinals are 13-7 overall and 4-5 in conference.

Next Wednesday will again find the two teams facing the opponent. The Lady Cardinals will be at home against Paris at 5:30 p.m. and the Cardinals will be in Paris for a 7 p.m. start.

CARDINAL PRIDE LUNCHEON

The Cardinal Pride Luncheon is going on the road.

The January edition of the event is scheduled Monday at Ole West Steak House. The meal will begin at noon and the program at 12:30 p.m.

Featured speakers will be basketball coach Kris Baumann and Elena Lovato and softball coach Ashley Johnston.

Also, the student-athlete of the month will be announced.

The cost of the meal is $9.

PLAY 4 KAY

The annual Play 4 Kay game to raise awareness and money to help fight the battle against cancer is scheduled next Wednesday, when the Lady Cardinals take on Paris in a 5:30 p.m. game

The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to make a public appearance to promote the event today from 4-6 p.m. at McDonald’s in Athens.

The Lady Cardinals will have pink t-shirts and other pink items for purchase. They will also have sharpies and will be available to sign any item fans would like signed.

Join the Lady Cardinals at McDonald’s today and then make plans to be with us next Wednesday when we participate in the the national Play 4 Kay campaign for a sixth consecutive year.

TVCC Sports Notes: Lady Cards hit the floor tonight

By Benny Rogers, TVCC Sports Information

BASKETBALL

The third-ranked Lady Cardinals are scheduled to be at home tonight against Jacksonville College. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

The Cardinals have the night off.

Coach Elena Lovato’s Lady Cardinals are 18-1 on the season and 5-0 in Region XIV Conference after an 86-65 win Saturday on the road against Tyler.

Savannah Carter paced the win against Tyler with 23 points. Krystle Henderson tossed in 18, followed by Shlonte’ Allen with 17 and Adut Bulgak with 11.

The Lady Cardinals led 41-28 at the half.

Jacksonville brings a 10-9 season record into tonight’s game. The Lady Jaguars are 3-3 in conference action.

Saturday, the Lady Cardinals travel to Carthage to face Panola at 4 p.m. In the first meeting at Cardinal Gym in December, the Lady Cardinals were a 91-58 winner.

Missed free throws were costly to the Cardinals in a 65-61 loss against Tyler. Coach Kris Baumann’s squad led 51-35 with 7:39 left in the game.

Karon Phillips’ 14 points were tops for the Cardinals. Octavius Ellis netted 12 and Jarion Henry nine.

The loss dropped the Cardinals to 13-7 on the year and 4-5 in the conference.

The Cardinals’ next outing is Saturday at home against Panola. Game time is 4 p.m.

Yes, the Cardinals will be at home Saturday against Panola while the Lady Cardinals are on the road against Panola.

PLAY 4 KAY

The annual Play 4 Kay game to raise awareness and money to help fight the battle against cancer is scheduled Wednesday, Jan. 30 when the Lady Cardinals take on Paris in a 5:30 p.m. game

The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to make a public appearance to promote the event Friday from 4-6 p.m. at McDonald’s in Athens.

The Lady Cardinals will have pink t-shirts and other pink items for purchase. They will also have sharpies and will be available to sign any item fans would like signed.

Join the Lady Cardinals for this event Friday and then make plans to be with us next Wednesday when we participate in the the national Play 4 Kay campaign for a sixth consecutive year.

ON THE AIR

The Cardinal Sports Network’s next webcast is scheduled Saturday when the Cardinals face Panola.

You can watch the games at www.tvcc.edu. Pregame programming starts at 3:50 p.m.

Tonight’s women’s game against Jacksonville will be carried by Palestine radio station KYYK (98.3 FM).

The games will also be streamed (audio) at www.youreasttexas.com.